asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the statement of the General Manager of Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann in which the present Buy Irish campaign is criticised on the basis that it is completely at odds with the Government's plans for membership of the EEC; and whether he will take steps to ensure that misleading remarks of this nature are not continued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Criticism of Buy Irish Campaign.
28.
Mr. O'Leary
I am aware of the statement to which the Deputy refers and I do not agree with it. I have no responsibility, however, for the personal views of the General Manager of Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann. The implication of the statement, as reported, appears to be that the Buy Irish campaign will assist manufacturers of inferior quality goods to sell their products. This is certainly not the intention of the campaign. Its main purpose is to create awareness of the availability of a wide range of Irish goods which are up to international standards in quality and design and comparable in price and quality with goods available from elsewhere. In these circumstances, it is reasonable to expect that the consumer should give priority to the Irish article.
Tell that to the Minister for Local Government.